Third Air Force

Third Air Force (Air Forces Europe)
Shield of the Third Air Force
Active	1 December 2006 – present (as Third Air Force (Air Forces Europe)) 1 May 1951 – 1 November 2005 (as Third Air Force) 26 March 1941 – 1 November 1946 (as Third Air Force) 18 December 1940 – 26 March 1941 (as Southeast Air District) (c. 78 years)[a][1]
Country	United States of America
Branch	United States Air Force (18 September 1947 – present) United States Army ( Army Air Forces, 20 June 1941 – 18 September 1947; Army Air Corps 19 October 1940 – 20 June 1941)
Type	Numbered Air Force
Role	Provides combat-ready air forces for U.S. European Command and U.S. African Command[2]
Part of	United States Air Forces in Europe United States Air Forces Africa U.S. European Command U.S. African Command
Headquarters	Ramstein Air Base, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
Motto(s)	Develop - Defend - Deliver
Engagements	World War II – American Theater Kosovo War – Air Campaign[1]
Decorations	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Website	www.usafe.af.mil/About-Us/3rd-Air-Force/
Commanders
Commander	Maj Gen Paul Moga[3]
Vice Commander	Col Calvin B. Powell
Command Chief	CCM Stephanie A. Cates
Notable commanders	Lewis H. Brereton Roscoe C. Wilson Francis H. Griswold William D. Dunham Frank L. Gailer Jr.

The Third Air Force (Air Forces Europe) (3 AF) is a numbered air force of the United States Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA). Its headquarters is Ramstein Air Base, Germany. It is responsible for all U.S. air forces in Europe and Africa, and operations and support activities in the U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command's areas of responsibility. It also has a unique mission as the U.S. military's primary liaison to the British government, which is conducted through the command's 3 AF-UK headquarters at RAF Mildenhall, England.

One of the four original pre–World War II numbered air forces, it was established on 26 March 1941, at Tampa, Florida with a mission of air defense of the Southeastern United States and Gulf Coast regions. During the war, its primary mission became the organization and training of combat units prior to their deployment to the overseas combat air forces. Several airfields are associated with the Third Air Force.

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